CHESTER COUNTY, SC
County Offices
1476 J.A. Cochran Bypass
Chester, SC 803-385-5133
https://www.chestercounty.org/
Chamber of Commerce
109 Gadsden Street
Chester 803-581-4142
https://www.chesterchamber.com
Founded in the late 1700’s, Chester County, South Carolina is located half-way between two of the fastest growing cities in the Southeast, Charlotte and Columbia, SC linked by Interstate 77. The county has the best of both worlds for residents and businesses, a beautiful rural setting as well as a dynamic business environment. Chester County has long been a favorite of residents and visitors from every walk of life. Camping, hiking, fishing and swimming are all available. Additionally, cultural activities are supported across the area. Festivals, museums, exhibits and other activities make Chester County a great place to call home.
Lifestyle
A wide variety of recreational activities are available in Chester County, ranging from neighborhood playgrounds to state parks and National Forest lands. Active recreation departments are operated by Chester County in cooperation with the City of Chester and the Town of Great Falls. Facilities of these departments include playgrounds, swimming pools, tennis courts and ball fields for softball, football and soccer. These facilities are clustered in the Chester and Great Falls areas. There are small parks in Richburg and Lowrys, and an area park in West Chester County. An 18 hole golf course located east of Chester is operated by the Leroy Springs Company, and is open to the public. Republic Golf Course, a nine hole course in Great Falls is also open to the public. Water based recreation is available in a number of areas. In addition to private ponds and lakes, water sports such as swimming, boating and skiing are available at Fishing Creek Lake, an impoundment on the Catawba River above Great Falls. The lake has public landings as well as a number of private residences and cabins. Canoeing is increasing in popularity along the Catawba River above Fishing Creek Lake and on the Broad River all along the western boundary of the county. Portions of Sumter National Forest are located in western Chester County. The forest provides areas for hiking, hunting, access to the Broad River, and a developed recreation area at Woods Ferry.
Cultural activities are fostered by such organizations as the Arts Council of Chester County; the Chester Little Theater; the Chester County Library, the Chester Historical Society; and local historical and civic groups. Annual festivals draw large numbers of visitors both locally and from out of state. The Flopeye Fish Festival is held each Memorial Day weekend in Great Falls. Activities at the event include arts and crafts fairs, a variety of musical entertainment, car shows, carnival rides and games, and a wide range of choice food items.
Services
In Chester County, agri-tourism is a growing industry and business. Cotton Hills Farms is a leader in the agri-tourism business, where school children and other visitors can experience a “Day at the Farm.” Agri-tourism is the practice of attracting travelers or visitors to an area or areas used primarily for agricultural purposes. Agri-tourism can be viewed much like eco-tourism in that it is small-scale, low-impact, and, in most cases, education-focused.
The Chester County School District has approximately 5,300 students and 688 employees. The district has five elementary schools, three middle schools, three high schools, one alternative school, one career center and one adult education center. Sixty percent of teachers have a Master’s degree or higher. In addition to the basic program of studies, the Chester County School District offers a variety of programs designed to meet special needs. These include gifted/talented, academic assistance, state-of-the-art wireless technology computer program, and two-way interactive distance learning studios at all high schools, honors classes, advanced placement, college preparatory, pre-kindergarten, full day kindergarten, career education and arts in education.
The Chester County Health Department provides basic medical care through centers in Chester and Great Falls. There are also private offices of physicians, dentists, and other health care professionals in Chester, Great Falls and Richburg.
City of Chester
City Offices
803-581-2123
https://www.chestersc.org/
The largest municipality and county seat, Chester is home to almost 7,000 residents. Dubbed “Pretty Little City on the Hill”, Chester is home to many historic buildings and a historic past. The local historic district covers 250 acres and boasts 475 different properties, including Chester’s downtown “Hill District”. In 1996, this downtown area received an extensive streetscape renovation, updating city amenities while still retaining its southern charm. This made the downtown a model of restoration for other communities in the region. Residents enjoy a nice selection of small shops and restaurants with the casual small town feel that is so valued by newcomers. The City of Chester Parks & Recreation Department provides recreational and special activities to the community. The city is home to eight local parks, a football field, three softball fields, seven tennis courts, a nature and fitness trail, and a swimming pool. Residents enjoy an enviable small town quality of life that is highlighted by a strong sense of community.
Great Falls
Town Offices
803-482-2055
https://www.greatfallssc.org/
Great Falls is the second largest city in the county with a population of just over 2,000. Its geography and natural beauty stand apart from other local areas with large rock outcroppings and its Catawba River setting. Two of our county’s busy highways, SC-9 and US-21, converge nearby in the small municipality, of Fort Lawn, named for one of the town’s original settlers, the Forts. Located within an hour of the metropolitan areas of Columbia, South Carolina and Charlotte, North Carolina, Great Falls is nestled beside the beautiful Catawba River. The area is well known by fishing and hunting enthusiasts who enjoy the abundance of natural hunting areas and the variety of wild game available. The town is easily accessible to Interstate 77 and State Highway 97 giving it easy access to the South Carolina Beaches and the Great Smoky Mountains.
Residents enjoy a high quality of life in the small town feel of the town. The town’s Downtown district has 14 buildings on the national register that go back to the early days of the community’s history as a textile mill town. The town enjoys several annual festivals including the big annual Flopeye Fish Festival which is held on the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend. The Flopeye Fish Festival brings about a community-wide recreational highlight. With a variety of food, fun and entertainment accompanied by the enthusiasm of a homecoming atmosphere, the festival attracts visitors from many states. The event brings locals together and preserves the history of the area known as Flopeye.
Richburg
Community Association
Richburg’s almost 500 residents enjoy a tranquil rural setting and down home feel. Being only minutes away from a metropolitan area give resident’s access to the cultural, historical, and recreational opportunities, ensuring a rich and varied lifestyle while still retaining the flavor of the “old rural South”.
We enjoy an abundance of natural resources, a warm year round climate, and strong local involvement that support a high quality of life. Wide open spaces abound and many residents still keep horses or maintain farms while sharing space with small businesses and cutting edge technologies or industries. People of all ages can find a lot to appreciate in our area. It is a great place to raise a family or to retire. It is truly a place where families can live and grow.
